You should put your newborn for sleep in a safe cot or bassinet in your room (room-sharing) for the first 6-12 months to reduce SUDI risk, always on their back with a firm, flat mattress, uncovered face, and smoke-free environment. During awake time, they can be held, practice tummy time on a mat, or rest in a safe sleep-approved lounger (supervised), but never leave them unattended in swings or loungers for sleep.
Try to put your baby down for naps at the same time each day to help set their internal clock. Whether it's the crib, carrycot, or Moses basket, consistency builds sleep cues and comfort. Babies can nap with some light. A softly lit room works fine—no need for blackout blinds.
Feed, change diaper, and help them to sleep. You can do tummy time and bonding time by having them on your chest at an incline during the brief periods they're awake. Once they wake up a bit, just them looking around and seeing the world and hearing all the sounds is enough entertainment for a while.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants should generally not spend more than two hours in their car seat at a time.* Think about it. You probably get fidgety after sitting for 2 hours — and remember, as an adult your movement is less restricted when using a lap-and-shoulder seat belt.
What is the five five five rule? This rule describes how new mothers should recover for the first 15 days after having their baby. The tradition encourages five days in bed, five days on the bed, and five days near the bed.
These include:
The hardest part of the newborn stage for most parents is generally considered to be the first 6 weeks. Here are some of the key reasons why: Exhaustion：Newborns need to feed frequently, often every 2-3 hours. This lack of sleep can take a major toll on parents' energy levels.
In almost all non-Western societies, 40 days after birth is seen as necessary for recuperation. Among most non-Western cultures, family members (especially female relatives) provide strong social support and help new mothers at home during this period.
Why Does SIDS Peak at 2-4 Months? The widely accepted explanation for the SIDS peak has to do with the timeline of brain development. “Up to 4 months old, the part of the brain that controls breathing and wakefulness is under a lot of development,” Juliet explains.
There are no set rules about how long to wait before taking a newborn out into the world or when to let people near the baby. Some doctors recommend that parents wait until their baby is a few months old before going to crowded public places (like malls, movie theaters, and airplanes).
Never shake your baby, whether in play or in frustration. Shaking can cause bleeding in the brain and sometimes death. If you need to wake your baby, don't do it by shaking.
The 9-Minute Theory, created by Jaak Panksepp, PhD., suggests that parents should focus on three key moments of interaction with their kids during the day: The first 3 minutes after they wake up. The 3 minutes after they come home from school or daycare. The last 3 minutes of the day before they go to sleep.
Takeaway #1: Signs that your baby is overstimulated include crying, yawning or fatigue, clenching their fists, waving their arms and legs, turning away from you, acting afraid, being more fussy than usual, feeding more frequently, and wanting to be held constantly.
If you want your baby to stop taking contact naps or get used to not being held while they sleep, when they are between 3 to 4 months you can start putting them in their crib or bassinet for naps and bedtime.
Babies need fresh air and light. Going for a walk outdoors is also stimulating and fun for your child. A healthy baby can go outside every day in any season, as long as the temperature isn't too hot or cold.
Ideally, baby's naps should be taken in the same place every day—consistency will make it easier for your little one to fall and stay asleep. Usually that place is where baby sleeps at night, either in a crib or bassinet, which are generally the safest, most comfortable places for infants to sleep.
Infants are at the highest risk for SIDS during their first 6 months of life. Most SIDS deaths occur when babies are between 1 and 4 months of age.
In contrast, there is evidence that swaddling may increase the risk of SIDS, as swaddled infants have fewer spontaneous arousals from sleep and increased sleep time, particularly during quiet sleep, which is a state of reduced arousability.
Risk factors for SIDS include:
Around this time, most babies cry and fuss more. This is a typical part of development and will pass in time. It usually peaks around 6-8 weeks and starts to settle at around 12-16 weeks.
You may shower, bathe or wash your hair at any time after the birth of your baby. During your first six weeks, avoid strenuous work. You may choose to limit visits with family and friends during the first two weeks, as it may cause undue fatigue for you and could also be detrimental to your baby's health.
Parents should try to limit the number of visitors their babies come in close contact with overall. Consider having extended family and friends wait two to three months until your baby's immune system is stronger to plan their visits.
Prevent your baby from choking by cutting their food into small bites. Also, don't let them play with small toys and other things that might be easy for them to swallow. Don't allow your baby to play with anything that might cover their face. Never carry hot liquids or foods near your baby or while holding your baby.
It can last a few minutes to a couple of hours. For most babies, the witching hour starts to occur around 2-3 weeks and peaks at 6 weeks. It will typically completely resolve by 3-4 months.
The first hour after birth, the “Golden Hour”, when a healthy baby is calmly placed skin-to-skin on the mother's chest, not only facilitates a smooth transition from the womb to the outside world, stabilising the baby physiologically, but also offers a unique opportunity for the mother and baby to connect emotionally ( ...